Dew is small drops of water that form on the ground and other surfaces outdoors during the night.
The dew gathered on the leaves.
dew in British English
(djuː)
noun
1.
a.
drops of water condensed on a cool surface, esp at night, from vapour in the air
b.
(in combination)
dewdrop
2.
something like or suggestive of this, esp in freshness
the dew of youth
3.
small drops of moisture, such as tears
verb
4. (transitive) poetic
to moisten with or as with dew
Word origin
Old English dēaw; related to Old High German tou dew, Old Norse dögg
dew in American English
(du; dju)
noun
1.
the condensation formed, usually during the night, on lawns, cars, etc. as a result of relatively warm air contacting a cool surface
2.
anything regarded as refreshing, gently falling, pure, etc., like dew
3.
any moisture in small drops, as perspiration
verb transitive
4. OLD-FASHIONED, Poetic
to wet with or as with dewdrops; bedew
Word origin
ME < OE deaw, akin to Ger tau < IE base *dheu-, to run > Sans dhāvati, a spring, brook
COBUILD Collocations
dew
morning dew
Examples of 'dew' in a sentence
dew
This vapour is then deposited as drops of dew.
Jilbert, John Geography Basic Facts (1983)
He spent so long outside on cold nights studying dew that it took a toll on his wellbeing.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
If they were wet from the dew or rain, they weighed more.
Max Arthur Lost Voices of the Edwardians: 19011910 in the words of the Men & Women Who WereThere (2006)
Then the shower drops through the numerous paths offered by the thousand cracks, raining a ghastly dew.
Christianity Today (2000)
After all how did a baking hot desert during the day become soaked with dew during the night without any sign of clouds or rain?
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
He also showed that the heaviest dew formed in calm weather as the air had more time to lay down its moisture on cold objects.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
This is the sunlight reflecting off the dew drops, and the glitter effect is particularly dazzling when the sun is low in the sky.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
For moss to survive, it needs soft rain, morning dew and sun.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
By the end of the 18th century, arguments raged over how dew formed.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Dew forms on cool, clear and calm nights, conditions that happen fairly often in this country.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The ideal conditions are bright sunny mornings after clear, chilly nights, when the ground has cooled down enough for dew drops to form.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Q: How is dew formed?
The Sun (2009)
In other languages
dew
British English: dew NOUN
Dew is small drops of water that form on the ground and other surfaces outdoors during the night.
The dew gathered on the leaves.
American English: dew
Brazilian Portuguese: orvalho
Chinese: 露水
European Spanish: rocío
French: rosée
German: Tau
Italian: rugiada
Japanese: 露
Korean: 이슬
European Portuguese: orvalho
Latin American Spanish: rocío
All related terms of 'dew'
DEW line
distant early warning line, a network of radar stations situated mainly in Arctic regions to give early warning of aircraft or missile attack on North America
dew point
the temperature at which water vapour in the air becomes saturated and water droplets begin to form
dew pond
a shallow pond , usually man-made , that is kept supplied with water by dew and condensation
dew snail
a slug
dew-worm
any large earthworm that is found on the ground at night and is used as fishing bait
morning dew
Dew is small drops of water that form on the ground and other surfaces outdoors during the night.
mountain dew
moonshine ; whisky that has been illegally distilled
dew-point spread
the degrees of difference between the air temperature and the dew point